If Wolfgang Puck ends up on the cutting room floor, I'll give up watching Hallmark Channel productions.
Just kidding.
No one would cut an appearance by the cherubic celebrity chef/entrepreneur. Puck will appear as himself, of course, in a Hallmark Channel original production, "Just Desserts," starring Lauren Holly and Costas Mandylor, (Cox cable channel 46) at 7 p.m. Feb. 8, with encore presentations at 9 and 11 p.m.
The plot is as sweet as cotton candy: Holly is a diva pastry chef whose life becomes an upside-down tarte Tatin when she meets Mandylor, "A scrappy baker trying to save his family business from collapsing like a chocolate souffle."
Boy convinces reluctant girl to become his partner in the Golden Whisk competition (think World Pastry Cup). The $250,000 first prize could save his family's buns. Will love blossom in this sticky situation? Does the Cookie Monster love cookies?
A terrific Valentine treat.
Chinois celebrates The Year of the Monkey: Wolfgang Puck's Chinois restaurant in the Forum Shops at Caesars will present a price-fixed Chinese New Year dinner from Thusday , the first day of Chinese New Year, to Jan. 24.
The Year of the Monkey five-course celebratory repast begins with savory hot-and-sour lobster soup and continues with Chinois shrimp and chicken "chopsticks" and dipping sauces. Entrees created by Chinois Chef de Cuisine Scott Irestone include pan-seared red snapper with pea shoots, Red Thai curry nage (a red butter sauce) and grilled beef tenderloin with wasabi potato puree and spicy shallot-pomegranate sauce.
Dessert is a delightful creme brulee twosome -- green tea and tangerine. Also included is a complimentary signature cocktail, "Chinois Monkey Shine." The five-course menu is $39 per person. Sake and beer pairings are priced at $20 per person. For reservations, call 737-9700.
New dinner series debuts: DeLuca Liquor and Wine Limited, in association with Community College of Southern Nevada, will host a series of winemaker dinners dubbed "The Great Las Vegas Steakout."
These dinners benefit the DeLuca Scholarship Foundation. The series kicks off with a grand "Invitation Only" black-tie affair at Andre's French restaurant ($250) Feb. 2. The five-course dinner will be followed by a live auction at 10 p.m. Among the auction items are vintage wines, vacation packages to wine country and "surprises." Anyone with a reservation to attend one of the other winemaker dinners may attend the auction.
For a complete list of participating restaurants or more information, call 734-5284 or visit www.greatlasvegassteakout.
Alliance of Black Culinarians: For the 13th year the Alliance of Black Culinarians will host their "Gourmet Grazer," a competition for chefs and a pleasure for those who attend the fun-filled eating binge.
Expect soul food and much more. Gourmet Grazer will take place Feb. 8 in the Stardust Hotel Pavilion from 4 to 8 p.m. A donation for this event is $25. Included are endless dining, both soul food and contemporary foods and entertainment.
"The Gourmet Grazer is, arguably, the top competition for the best chefs in Las Vegas," says T.E. Williams, CEC, CCE, AAC chairman and founder of the Alliance of Black Culinarians. "And the great thing is that it is all done for charity."
The ABC is a nonprofit, charitable organization founded in 1991 to promote education, training, recognition and the advancement of black culinarians. Its focus is on youth from "challenged communities." Proceeds from previous Gourmet Grazers have awarded scholarships to "underprivileged graduating seniors, financial support to Kermit R. Booker Elementary School (an at-risk Clark County School)" and more. For additional information, call Chef Williams at 799-7528 or 896-4318.
Mad about Mad Cow? The USDA makes all kinds of excuses about the failures in our meat supply and other food safety programs, yet the hazards are real and still continue to plague the system. Allowing meat and by-products from falling-down-sick animals to make their way into the markets is not only dangerous but, in my opinion, a criminal act.
Some years ago when I hosted a consumer-oriented food talk show, a call came from the FDA asking broadcasters nationwide to alert consumers about excess amounts of mercury in swordfish. Most alarming was the potential danger to pregnant women, small children and the elderly.
Other media were also alerted. By that evening the country was aware of the danger. The next day, before going on the air, I stopped by one our largest supermarkets to see if swordfish was still being sold. It was. According to the attendant, as long as they were not required to remove the mercury-laden fish, it would continue to be sold.
After a call to the FDA I learned they did not have the power to remove the fish. All they could do was warn the public. Only the USDA had teeth. Since that time I've collected piles of information on the subject of food safety. It's not a pretty story and it's gotten uglier. The Jan. 12 issue of Newsweek has a frightening saga of what can and does go wrong. Included is this chilling fact -- "As many as 76 million Americans get sick from food each year. Most cases are mild, but about 5,00 people die."
For more information on mad cow log on to Newsweek.com on MSNBC.
Should you stop eating meat and fish? Of course not. Wild salmon is always available at Trader Joe's, Wild Oats and Whole Foods markets. It is more costly, but that's good; you'll eat less. And let your legislators know how you feel about their apathy when it comes to bills on food safety.
Being informed is the best way to stay healthy. There's plenty of good food out there. So enjoy it. Just remember that if we want our food supply to be safe, we shouldn't be so greedy that we befoul our beef by using innards from sick animals. Will love blossom in this sticky situation? Does the Cookie Monster love cookies?
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